Source: iranbahaipersecution.bic.org
News Bulletin #01-25
Iran
20 DECEMBER 2024 – 3 JANUARY 2025
[This bulletin documents only the most significant acts of persecution and human rights abuses which the BIC has noted during the reporting period. It does not include those routine acts of discrimination to which Bahá’ís in Iran, whether as individuals or as a community, are subjected on a daily basis. The information presented in each bulletin is based on information available at the time of writing and may have changed subsequently.]
1. ARRESTS/IMPRISONMENTS
1.1: Paridokht Shojaie Transferred to Prison to Serve Sentence in Kerman
KERMAN PROVINCE: On 30 December 2024, Mrs. Paridokht Shojaie Baghini, a Baha’i residing in Kerman, was transferred to the city’s prison to serve her 25-month sentence.
Mrs. Shojaie was arrested in July 2023 along with several other Baha’is in Kerman. After a period of detention, she was released on bail. The first court hearing addressing the charges took place on 3 February 2024, followed by a second hearing in late April.
Initially sentenced to fines and deprivation of social rights in the court of first instance, the verdict against Mrs. Shojaie was later overturned. In a new ruling issued in absentia, she was sentenced to two years and one month of imprisonment, along with a five-year deprivation of social rights. This sentence was later upheld on appeal.
Releases
1.2: Vahid Masoumi Released on Bail After 40 Days in Detention in Shiraz
FARS PROVINCE: On 20 December 2024, Mr. Vahid Masoumi, a resident of Shiraz, was released on bail after spending 40 days in detention at the Intelligence Detention Center in Shiraz, commonly known as No. 100. Mr. Masoumi was arrested on 10 November 2024, as he was leaving his home. Security agents conducted a thorough search of his vehicle and residence, confiscating several personal items, including electronic devices, books, and photographs belonging to him and his family.
Despite the prolonged detention, the reasons for Mr. Masoumi’s arrest and any potential charges against him remain unclear. During his time in custody, Mr. Masoumi was subjected to restrictive conditions, with family members expressing increased concern due to limited communication. He was permitted only one brief phone call with his family throughout his detention, a situation reportedly enforced by orders from the Ministry of Intelligence.
Mr. Masoumi was released on a bail of two billion and five hundred million tomans.
1.3: Arshia Behin-Aien Released on Bail from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan
ISFAHAN PROVINCE: On Sunday, 29 December 2024, Mr. Arshia Behin-Aien, a 36-year-old Baha’i from Isfahan, was released from Dastgerd Prison after posting bail.
His release was initially expected to be straightforward. However, without prior notification to his family, rather than releasing him from the prison gates, security officials took Mr. Behin-Aien out of the prison in a vehicle and released him in Qaemieh Square in Isfahan around 7:00 PM. This unexpected maneuver occurred after more than 60 relatives and friends began waiting outside the prison gates from around 2:00 PM to welcome him on his release.
1.4: Mahvash Sabet Granted One Month Temporary Leave from Evin Prison Following Open Heart Surgery
TEHRAN PROVINCE: It was learned on 1 January 2025 that Mrs. Mahvash Shahriari (Sabet), has been granted a one-month period of leave from Evin Prison following open-heart surgery in the ICU of Rajai Hospital in Tehran. Mrs Sabet, who is 71 years old is currently being forced to serve a ten-year prison sentence despite her advanced age and failing health.
2. COURT APPEARANCES
2.1: Sentence to be Implemented after Court of Appeals Upholds One-Year Sentence for Tahereh Nowrouzi in Shiraz
FARS PROVINCE: It was learned on 28 December 2024 that the Court of Appeals in Fars Province has upheld a one-year prison sentence for Mrs. Tahereh Nowrouzi, a resident of Shiraz. The sentence will be implemented with an electronic monitoring ankle band, confining her movements to a defined radius around her home.
The verdict, issued by Branch 37 of the Fars Province Court of Appeals and delivered to Mrs. Nowrouzi’s attorney, cites charges of “propaganda against the regime.” A source close to her family stated, “Tahereh is required to report to the enforcement office within the next two weeks to have the electronic monitor fitted. She has two young children, and the travel restrictions will disrupt their lives, especially since her husband works in another city.”
Mrs. Nowrouzi was initially arrested on 9 June 2024, by security forces in Shiraz and detained at the Intelligence Ministry’s detention center, known as No. 100. She was released on 20 June 2024, after posting bail of 2 billion tomans.
2.2: Tabriz Court Sentences Kourosh Hashempour and Nadia Rezaie
EAST AZERBAIJAN PROVINCE: It was learned on 24 December 2024, that the Tabriz Revolutionary Court has handed down sentences for Mr. Kourosh Hashempour and Ms. Nadia Rezaie. The two were previously arrested and detained in Tabriz, and later released from prison on 24 September 2024 on payment of bail of one billion and two billion tomans respectively.
Mr. Hashempour has been fined 10 million tomans and sentenced to seven months of deprivation of social rights, while Mrs. Rezaie faces a 30 million toman fine and six years of deprivation of social rights.
3. ECONOMIC PRESSURES/DENIAL OF OWNERSHIP RIGHTS
3.1: Business Assets of Hamid Azizi held in Limbo for More Than One Year
HAMADAN PROVINCE: It was learned on 24 December 2024 that the eyeglass frames belonging to the optical business of Mr. Hamid Azizi, which were confiscated in November 2023, remain in limbo in the Office of Forfeitures. Since the confiscation incident, officials have not opened any case against Mr. Azizi leaving the case unresolved. The uncertainty in determining the status of the seized items and the fact that eyeglass frames become outdated and unviable for sale as time passes has caused Mr. Azizi significant financial losses.
4. HOME SEARCHES
4.1: Intelligence Officers Conduct Home Searches in Kerman Confiscating Mobile Phones
KERMAN PROVINCE: On 23 December 2024, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence conducted raids on the homes of three Baha’i women in Kerman. The incidents involved home searches and the confiscation of mobile devices from them and their family members.
Intelligence officers first raided the home of Mrs. Peymaneh Peymani and her daughter Ms. Farnaz Ebrahimi. At approximately 2 PM, as Ms. Ebrahimi returned home from work, she found a woman waiting outside their residence. The woman engaged her in conversation before requesting to enter the yard for further questioning. Upon granting entry, Ms. Ebrahimi was confronted by 7-8 officers from the Ministry of Intelligence, who proceeded to search their home.
The officers presented summonses for both Mrs. Peymani and Ms. Ebrahimi, stating their intention to only search their residences and not detain anyone at that time. However, they warned that failure to comply with future summonses for interrogation would result in arrest warrants.
In another incident later that day at 4 PM, the home of Mrs. Jila Ghodratian (Najafi) in another part of the city was also raided and searched by security agents.
4.2: Homes of Three Baha’is in Isfahan Raided by Security Forces
Archive Photo
ISFAHAN PROVINCE: On the morning of Tuesday, 31 December 2024, the homes of three Baha’is in Isfahan—Neda Behin-Aien, Elham Moghen, and Mitra Rahmani—were raided and searched by security forces.
More than ten security agents entered the homes of Mrs. Neda Behin-Aien and Mr. Elham Moghen. After conducting thorough searches, they confiscated religious books, identification cards, and electronic devices, including tablets, mobile phones, and laptops.
The agents then proceeded to search the home of Ms. Mitra Rahmani, who resides in a separate unit within the same building. Personal belongings and her mobile phone were also seized.
After the raids, the three Baha’is were summoned to the Isfahan Intelligence Office.
Mr. Elham Moghen has previously faced arrest and judicial action due to his faith, highlighting ongoing pressures on these Baha’i families.
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